Abstract: Any corporate executive can tell you that a strong brand can help achieve price premiums, promote customer retention, and more. Yet in times of economic instability, you may be tempted trim costs around efforts such as brand building. Downturns, however, can actually present opportunities to grow brand strength. Find out how you can maximize your brand value and take advantage of changing customer buying habits.

Abstract: The strength of a company can be traced to the value of its brands. Brand marketing managers seek to create and develop brand value by converting consumer insights into consumer loyalty. How can you overcome the challenge of developing effective marketing campaigns that convert consumer information into revenue and profit? Leverage the value of your brand with an integrated approach to brand management. Find out how.

Abstract: Private label product sales have increased significantly over recent years, with the level of penetration and sophistication varying by country and retailer strategy. By owning the brand, the retailer must deal with complexities and issues more traditionally associated with the consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand manufacturer. Failure to establish adequate processes and systems to support the brand can have severe economic implications. Learn about the brand integrity strategies used today by some of the most successful private label retailers.

Abstract: Adaptiveness in the manufacturing sector depends on being able to push decision making to the shop floor. But that’s often easier said than done. However, manufacturing intelligence dashboards aggregate content from the full range of manufacturing systems into a single view of operations. These role-specific dashboards thus enable employees to manage manufacturing performance, and respond quickly to changes.

Abstract: The challenges that face the manufacturing industry today are also opportunities. Manufacturing is being revolutionized in its processes, routines, and ways of doing business through the growing emergence of order driven production methods. This shift towards demand driven manufacturing is emerging in tandem with the larger currents caused by globalization. This cross industry brief focuses on the manufacturing industry from the standpoint of a demand driven IT solution and is aimed at manufacturing and distribution businesses. It describes some major market trends and issues, provides an overview of IBS supply chain solution, and offers details on how the IBS solution for demand driven manufacturing can address current needs of the industry.

Abstract: An integrated steel plant’s manufacturing processes typically encompass three distinct types of manufacturing—flow manufacturing, process manufacturing, and mill manufacturing—making such a plant a mixed-mode manufacturer. Software systems that address the diverse needs these manufacturers have cannot be emphasized more.

Abstract: Hiring the former APICS president to head its manufacturing industry efforts a year ago, the high profile acquisition of renowned manufacturing ERP provider J.D. Edwards this summer, and most recently, the acquisition of demand flow and lean manufacturing software solutions from JCIT, might indicate that PeopleSoft has finally gotten its manufacturing creed. Will these moves finally and lastingly establish it as a serious contender in the manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) space?

Abstract: As apparel and textile companies move to outsourcing production—relinquishing direct control in favor of a more cost-effective manufacturing model—a lean supply chain may appear to be the next logical step for further implementing cost and operational improvement. Not so, however. You can’t have a lean supply chain without lean manufacturing. Regardless of whether you or your partners engage in production, lean manufacturing is the lean engine that drives lean supply chain efficiencies. Accordingly, the business requirement for stability in a constantly changing demand environment motivates the fashion industry’s search for lean supply chain management principles and practices. Intentia, in cooperation with industry experts, have written a series of thought leadership white papers on the concept of implementing lean supply chain in the fashion industry. The second of this series, From Lean Manufacturing to Lean Supply Chain explains how lean manufacturing relates to lean supply chain management and where it differs and sometimes conflicts.

Abstract: With its latest moves, SYSPRO seems to have braced itself well for the bigger brethren’s onslaught. The latest brand unification move may prove that the company is also changing its marketing approach, starting with clearer worldwide prominence and unequivocal identity.

Abstract: By further perfecting its mid-market value proposition and by also unifying its corporate and product brands (i.e., often conflicting IMPACT Encore product brand has been discontinued), SYSPRO should certainly give other incumbent mid-market players and intruders a run for their money.

Abstract: Many food companies are investing significant funds in building awareness for their brands in the market, which can pay off amply in competitive, commodity markets. One highly publicized recall, however, can turn an established brand asset into a liability.

Abstract: To ensure the safety of the domestic and global food supply, demands for brand protection assurance are on the rise, as are national and global food safety initiatives. Food processors and distribution warehouses up and down the supply chain now find automated traceability systems are a necessity. Learn about an automated approach to traceability that is both cost-effective and a good fit for existing business operations.

Abstract: To ensure the safety of domestic and global food supplies, demands for brand protection assurance are on the rise from customers in the food industry marketplace itself. To address these requirements, food processors and distribution warehouses now find automated traceability systems a necessity. Discover an automated approach to traceability that’s both cost-effective and a good fit for your current business operations.

Abstract: SYSPRO remains a stalwart vendor within the mid-market accounting, manufacturing, and distribution software markets. The current market trend is towards vendors that can provide comprehensive solutions for small and medium-sized companies with a justifiable return on investment (ROI), and SYSPRO seems to have a fair shot. Moreover, with its global coverage, multi-national product’s capabilities, suitability to diverse manufacturing environments, as well as with its cross-platform support and excellent service & support track, the vendor seems poised to give run for the money to almost any contender.

Abstract: Even before the mega merger, PeopleSoft had already set it sights on a bigger manufacturing presence. PeopleSoft’s acquisition of mid-to-large ERP system developer J.D. Edwards this summer, and most recently demand flow and lean manufacturing software solution from JCIT, might indicate some deep though process rather than a number of impulse initiatives from the past.

Abstract: Vantage 8.0 is the next generation manufacturing solution developed by Epicor Software Corporation. It builds on the successes of the Vista, Vantage, Avanté and other associated discrete manufacturing product lines by introducing a total manufacturing solution for the midmarket. It is built to leverage the Microsoft® .NET Framework™ and Progressreg® OpenEdge™ Business Platform in order to provide a leading-edge technological solution that offers Epicor’s manufacturing customers a framework that will support their business needs now and in the future.

Abstract: The market place is awash with many kinds of manufacturing scheduling systems. Due to the dynamic nature of the manufacturing shop floor, it is of utmost importance that a manufacturing scheduling system can take care of these dynamic conditions.

Abstract: As with any manufacturing operation, process manufacturing has special system requirements such as formulas, unit of measure conversions, and packaging recipes. However, within the realm of process manufacturing, specific industries have needs that are more critical than others. This article explores these critical needs for the food and beverage, chemical, and a hybrid industry (textiles), so that you can focus on these requirements when evaluating enterprise-wide software.